Are you someone who loves to get all the latest and greatest technology? When a new phone comes out, you’re the first in line. When a new system rolls out, you download it immediately. Being on the cutting-edge of innovation isn’t a horrible place to be, but when it comes to your smile, you should exercise some logic and potentially some patience. If you have existing restorations, can you replace them with dental implants? Find out the answer in the blog below!
Can Dental Implant Replace Existing Restorations?
Dental implants restore lost tooth roots, which no other dental prosthetic can do. As a result, when you get an implant, it typically means you’ll get a new restoration with it. For example, a single dental implant can replace a bridge with a separate crown on each side of the gap.
However, dental implants connect to crowns, bridges, or dentures to complete your smile, which means in other situations, such as full dentures, the implants may simply anchor the dentures to your jawbone. In other words, dental implants may not always replace other existing restorations—they can also supplement them to compensate for entire missing teeth!
Should Dental Implants Replace Existing Restorations?
Before you replace your existing restorations or present teeth, you need to confirm it would be beneficial. For instance, if you have a healthy smile overall and simply have fillings, your dentist will not recommend getting dental implants in your treatment plan just yet. Once you develop an issue, like a serious cavity or lose a tooth, dental implants may come up as a great option for tooth replacement.
For existing bridges or dentures, your dentist will probably suggest connecting them to implants because these completed replacements offer substantially more stability, long-term enjoyment, and even better heart, brain, and other areas of systemic health.
Am I a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?
To qualify for dental implants, you must have at least missing tooth (or have recently lost a tooth), have no infections in your mouth, and have enough jawbone to support the post. Without these criteria, a dental implant will not likely succeed. However, if these apply to you, dental implants can change your quality of life for decades to come!
Fortunately, you don’t have to make this judgment and decision alone. Your dentist has been trained and can help you determine what the best solution will be to give you the best smile possible. After an examination, they can share their recommendation for a complete set of teeth, confidence in yourself, and full function. You may want to jump on the state-of-the-art technology and techniques for tooth replacement, but your dentist can help make sure it’ll be successful for you!
About the Author
After more than 10 years as a dentist, Dr. Kyrslyne Thomas stays on top of the newest developments and innovations in the field, including dental implants. She is currently a member of the American Dental Association, the Academy of General Dentistry, and the American Academy of Clear Aligners to bring the best treatments to our patients. She often refers her patients to local experts she trusts to undergo the placement procedure, but she is happy to guide patients through the entire process. Are you interested in learning more about dental implants? Schedule an appointment with Dr. Thomas at Elora Dental Studio online or call our Pearland office at 832-520-2949.